To report suspected elder abuse or neglect call the Adult Services Hotline at (805) 781-1790 during regular business hours, or after business hours call (844) 729-8011

Kinship Guardian Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) Program

What is this service?

The Kin-GAP program prioritizes placement of children with relatives when they have been removed from their home of origin. If the child is unable to reunify with their parents, the relative is asked to become the legal guardian for the child. Children do best when placed with a safe, consistent, caring, appropriate relative when they cannot remain with their parent(s); placing foster children in the care of a relative has been a vital focus of Child Welfare Services. Preferential consideration for the placement of the child is given to a grandparent, aunt, uncle or sibling.

When a relative accepts legal guardianship, they will receive a monthly stipend from the placing County’s Social Services Department to offset expenses associated with caring for and raising the child.

Who can use this service?

This service is provided to eligible relative caregivers who have established legal guardianship through San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.

Is there a charge for this service?

This service is provided free of charge.

What is the process?

Step 1: Kinship Guardian Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) Program

Caregivers will work closely with the youth’s permanency social worker to complete the appropriate process and documentation necessary to establish Legal Guardianship and participation in the Kin-GAP program.

When and where is this service offered?

Eligible relative caregivers will receive funding throughout the dependency process, which will be converted to Kin-GAP through San Luis Obispo County Superior Court upon the Court’s order of Legal Guardianship.

Location, directions and hours of operation

Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information

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Morro Bay Social Services

Monday - Friday 8-5

600 Quintana Road Morro Bay , CA 93442

Tel: (805) 772-6405

Fax: (805) 772-6409

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SLO Social Services- Higuera

Monday - Friday 8-5

3433 South Higuera San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Tel: (805) 781-1600

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Arroyo Grande Social Services

Monday - Friday 8-5

1086 East Grand Avenue Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Tel: (805) 474-2000

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Nipomo Social Services

Monday - Friday 8-5

681 West Tefft Street Suite 1 Nipomo, CA 93444

Tel: (805) 931-1800

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Atascadero Social Services

Monday - Friday 8-5

9415 El Camino Real Atascadero, CA 93422

Tel: (805) 461-6000

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Paso Robles Social Services

Monday - Friday 8-5

406 Spring Street Paso Robles, CA 93446

Tel: (805) 237-3110

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the requirements to become a relative caregiver?

A relative caregiver will go through the same Resource Family certification process as any other foster home in California. The placing and/or licensing Social Worker will explain to the relative the certification process and requirements.

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Who is considered a relative?

Relative means an adult who is related to the child by blood, adoption or marriage. Stepparents, stepsiblings and all relatives whose status is proceeded by the words “great”, “great-great”, or “grand” or the spouse of any of these persons are also considered a relative.

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Who should I contact if I would like more information about the Kin-GAP program?